The Selenverse Issue Fifteen

Hello everyone! Welcome to this week's issue; I'm your guide, Selen.

Today, we will discuss updates on the most recent developments and breakthroughs in space and tech sectors. We also welcome our new expert, Anupa Dasgupta , to the Expert Corner.

Don't forget to follow Grow with Selen. The first episode is coming soon, and it is about building lasting habits to make this year your year!

News from Space and Technology:

Who's Responsible for Space Trash?

So, one of the last issues I talked about was the space debris problem and why it is essential to talk about it. We all know that Kenya recently had a massive metallic ring descend from the sky and strike a Kenyan village on December 30, 2024. The object, which is thought to be space junk, crashed in Makueni County's Mukuku hamlet. And the most recent issue was an uncontrolled rocket debris re-entry incident involving SpaceX in February 2025, dispersing debris around Europe. Countries like Poland are affected by it. This makes us question SpaceX's safety procedures, the company's accountability, the potential harm to persons and property, and the absence of an advance notice to impacted nations. These events also draw attention to the growing space debris problem and the need for more stringent laws and international collaboration to address it. I'm studying a Space Law course for my Space Leadership MBA at Kennedy University this semester. I am already aware of the lack of specific laws covering edge cases and how we are unprepared for the ongoing space debris issues. There is a nice article about this if you want to learn more.

Quantum Revolution: Microsoft's Majorana 1 Chip Changes the Game

In the newsletter, we talked about how incredible and history-making moments are happening with quantum computers and the news with Google's quantum computing machine, "Willow," before, but today, we will discuss Microsoft's unveiling of the Majorana 1 chip. This chip marks a significant leap forward in the quantum computing race. This chip, built upon the foundation of topological qubits and the inaccessible Majorana fermion, represents a fascinating moment for the field.

Here's why it's so exciting for all of us:

First of all, do we all know what topological qubits mean?

Let's break it down. Imagine a regular light switch. There are just two possible settings: on and off. Similar to a standard computer bit, which is either a 0 or a 1.

Now, picture a light switch that can be both on and off simultaneously. That is comparable to a qubit or quantum bit. One, zero, or a mix can be a qubit. The potential power of quantum computers comes from this "both at once" capability. The issue is that ordinary qubits are highly frangible. Calculation errors may result from their susceptibility to disturbances such as heat or vibrations.

Topological qubits can help with it. They resemble a unique type of extremely stable light switch. The information is kept in the connections between particles rather than in the state of a single particle. Imagine it as a knot. The knot itself (and the information it represents) remains unchanged even if you slightly wiggle the string. Therefore, topological qubits are more error-resistant, which is essential for creating useful quantum computers. They are similar to the secret to building quantum computers that are genuinely beneficial.

Again, let's assume you are holding a coin. A coin typically consists of two sides: heads and tails. A Majorana fermion is comparable to a unique, enchanted coin that simultaneously has heads and tails. It is the exact opposite! It's incredibly difficult to intervene with because it's both at once. It's considerably more difficult to alter the state of a coin already spinning in the air than to flip it. This "both at once" feature is utilized to store data in a quantum computer. The information in the Majorana fermion is extremely stable due to its extreme stability and immunity to external disturbance. This is crucial because it indicates that the quantum computer can make calculations with minimal error.

The new state of affairs The Majorana fermion is a novel state of matter that has been discovered and used, expanding our knowledge of physics and creating new opportunities for quantum computing.

This innovation could potentially help us accelerate the quantum computing field.

All things considered, Microsoft's Majorana 1 chip represents a significant advancement in the pursuit of useful quantum computing. It is an important step toward achieving this technology's full potential and its revolutionary effects on a range of sectors and facets of our lives.

This week, I'm thrilled to have Anupa Dasgupta join me for the Expert Corner. Anupa Dasgupta is a talented Web3 Service Designer at Si and a passionate advocate for inclusivity and empowerment. Anupa Dasgupta is also actively involved in amplifying the voices of women and non-binary individuals through Rolemodel Rebels . Let's get started!

1Could you tell us a bit about your job as a Web3 Service Designer at SI<3> and your journey to get there?

Kara Howard, the founder of SI<3> , and I connected through a shared vision of leveraging emerging technologies to create equal opportunities for all. Si<3> is dedicated to driving Web3 adoption through accessible, decentralized, and inclusive products.

I view Web3 as a powerful vehicle for decentralization, monetization, incentivization, and identity empowerment. My journey in this space began with applying service design principles to build decentralized communities for farmers in Ethiopia. Over time, this expanded to empowering nurses through Web3 education. Throughout this journey, I was selected for various Web3 educational programs, which enabled me to integrate my existing skill set with this evolving technology. In the process, I also built strong, borderless connections within the Web3 community, gaining a deeper understanding of its culture and values.

Today, I lead strategy, service, and product design across multiple initiatives, including decentralized identity-driven platforms, universal Si<3> ecosystem management, and AI-centric collaborative systems. Leveraging service design and design thinking, I focus on developing human-centered solutions that empower communities. Additionally, I oversee global teams and drive community engagement within the ecosystem.

Embracing this journey has been both exciting and fulfilling. I am grateful for the courage to envision the future through this collaborative lens.

We know each other from Rolemodel Rebels and you are doing a great job there. Could you tell us a bit more about what you are doing and how people can get involved?

Rolemodel Rebels (RMR) is a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women and non-binary individuals through professional stories, interviews, and knowledge-sharing articles. Founded by Petra Arends-Paltzer PhD , RMR began as a collective to empower women, and I have been actively involved in shaping it into a robust community. Through this journey, I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most resilient, dedicated, and driven individuals—connections I may not have otherwise encountered. We are constantly supporting and learning from each other.

My focus within RMR includes strategy and direction, profile creation, partnerships, and community building. We are committed to representation and inclusivity, ensuring that our platform welcomes all storytellers. Membership is free, offering individuals the opportunity to grow their presence, share their experiences, and contribute to a collective knowledge base. Join us—become a RolemodelRebel and inspire others in return!

Rolemodel Rebels is a platform where we believe in bringing the voices of women or non binary women to the forefront, whether in the form of a professional story, an interview or knowledge focused article. Dr. Petra Arends Paltzer?is the founder of RMR, had started creating a collective of 1200 plus women. I joined in fostering that collective into a robust visible space for the women. I have meet the most fierce, dedicated and driven women whom I would have never come across

I look into strategy and direction, profile creation and partnership and community building.? We believe in representation and inclusivity so our platform has a space of anyone who is a storyteller. It is free to join for anyone to grow their presence, share their story and knowledge. Join to be a RoleModel who is a Rebel?and vice versa!

Do you have any advice for the people who want to work at Web3?

I believe Web3 is fundamentally about people, ownership, behaviour, and autonomy, enabled by technology. I began my journey about 2 years ago where by, I?actively engaged with Web3 communities, exploring how my skills could be transferred and adapted to this evolving space. A strong foundation in the fundamentals—especially the core principles of ideology, decentralised finance and web 3 tech—is essential to the mindset of innovation and development so?do a few courses !!! It is advisable to join projects to learn, absorb knowledge, experiment, and build because it is learn as you go path. Embracing decentralization is key, as it fosters resilience, transparency, community-driven collaboration, and honesty.

Thank Anupa Dasgupta for taking time to talk with me!

Connect with the Cosmos:

So, Thank you for tuning in to this week's edition! I hope to see you next week! Until next week, keep your eyes on the stars and your curiosity ignited!

Connect with me on LinkedIn to stay on top of the latest developments and engage with a community of passionate space and tech enthusiasts.